Review: Aab India Restaurant

“This is the longest Indian buffet line I’ve ever waited in,” a dining companion of mine pointedly remarked last Sunday in a nice, white-tableclothed establishment. I answered bluntly — with a stomach growl — as my tongue was tied by aromas of curry spices and bitter and gingery mixed pickle combining with smoky whiffs from what might be the best tandoori chicken in town. Fortunately, that lengthy queue moved along quickly, and within minutes — and for only 10 bucks — we were enjoying one of the top Indian buffets around at Aab India Restaurant in Grandview.

I’d been to Aab several times — I reviewed it when it opened. But after having a discussion with a local food luminary who told me she liked Aab’s lunchtime buffet, I decided to try it again. While there is a notorious propensity to go heavy on the cream, Aab’s generous spread is full of fresh and forceful things more carefully prepared than what you generally get. In short, it’s one of the best midday meal deals in the area. Here’s a sampling.

• Mixed Pickle It might seem odd to comment on a condiment, but I love Aab’s fragrant and standout version made with lemon rinds, carrots, hunks of ginger and potent seeds (Note: mixed pickle is a very acquired taste).